Why Alan Pardew should be sacked if Newcastle lose to Aston Villa

Hypocritical Mike Ashley has banned another newspaper for publishing ‘completely untrue’ stories about Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew’s precariously placed future at the club, alleging the under-pressure boss could be fired this weekend.

The Sunday Express became the latest publication pilloried by the Sports Direct tycoon while, ironically, moronic Ashley’s re-branded Football Direct News website continues to spout stories conjured up from who knows where.

It wasn’t such a far-fetched claim.

Taking the actions and statement as an over the top vote of confidence, all the hall-marks are there for Sunday’s game to be integral in deciding Pardew’s Magpie future.

Joe Kinnear’s dismissal has already revealed how ruthless Ashley is prepared to be. The Toon’s former director of football was an ally of Ashley’s who he held enough regard to bring back to the club despite a disastrous first spell on Tyneside.

Pardew on the other hand was under pressure before a ball was kicked in anger following last season’s league failure and the end of season summit resulting in the structural reshuffle.

I’m no gambler but the latest odds show Pardew is second favourite to be the next Premier League manager fired.

He is only behind former Newcastle manager Chris Hughton and that’s not saying a lot as the Norwich manager’s Canaries could soon find themselves in the relegation zone and have endured an equally disastrous run of defeats.

Ailing Alan has collected a growing list of unwanted records and added Newcastle’s worst home run in the Premier League with ever increasing score-lines.